FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

For more information, contact:

Jenni Benzaquen

Press Director

Geffen Playhouse

(310) 208-6500, ext. 126

jenni@geffenplayhouse.com

GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS

GRAMMY-NOMINATED

“BEETHOVEN’S WIG:

SING ALONG SYMPHONIES”

CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH A TWIST

* * *

ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY:

SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2003

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 30, 2003 – In its continuing commitment to educational outreach, Geffen Playhouse presents the Grammy-nominated classical sensation Beethoven’s Wig: Sing Along Symphonies, featuring Richard Perlmutter and his invisible orchestra performing playful renditions of classical music’s greatest hits. The performance takes place on Saturday, March 22 at 11AM. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children. Following the performance, there will be refreshments in the Geffen Playhouse courtyard. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call the Geffen’s Education Department at (310) 208-6500, ext 198.

Geffen Playhouse presents Beethoven’s Wig as part of its educational outreach family series, The Saturday Scene. Nominated for a 2003 Grammy Award, Beethoven’s Wig has been featured on The Today Show and National Public Radio and is the winner of the 2002 Parent’s Choice Award and 2003 Learning Magazine’s Teacher’s Choice Award. Richard Perlmutter, lyricist, singer and producer of Beethoven’s Wig, introduces kids to classical music in an engaging and friendly manner by performing hilarious renditions of great works by Beethoven, Bach and Mozart. Perlmutter will perform pieces such as “Beethoven’s Wig,” a celebration of the ridiculously colossal powdered wigs of Beethoven’s time set to the “Fifth Symphony.”

Perlmutter explains, “What Beethoven’s Wig does is give the listener a hook to get their ears around – something that will stick in their heads, so the next time they hear the music they will not only remember the composer and the piece, but it will make them smile thinking of what they learned from the song.”

Other upcoming Saturday Scenes include Parson’s Nose Productions in Family Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Wacky Wander in the Woods, their fun and hip adaptation of Shakespeare’s beloved classic. The dates are Saturday, February 22 and Saturday, March 1 and 8. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children. Please call (310) 208-6500, ext. 198 to make reservations.

The Saturday Scene series was introduced by Geffen Playhouse to bring a myriad of high quality theatrical productions and workshops to the community and celebrate theater with young people and their families. Past Saturday Scene guests have included the theater troupe We Tell Stories, Parson’s Nose Productions in their Family Twelfth Night and theater professionals teaching workshops in improvisation, puppet making and masks. The Geffen school tour is in its fifth year of providing free theater for Los Angeles area students. Family Midsummer Night’s Dream is available to 12 Los Angeles area public schools free of charge (the tour is also available to private schools for a fee).

Geffen Playhouse is headed by Producing Director Gilbert Cates, Artistic Director Randall Arney and Managing Director Stephen Eich.

The Geffen’s season continues with the world premiere of Neil Simon’s Rose and Walsh (January 28-March 9, 2003), the story of two famous writers and the consequences of their enduring love. Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney will direct the West Coast premiere of acclaimed playwright Rebecca Gilman’s Boy Gets Girl (April 1-May 11, 2003), a chilling look at a woman whose life is irrevocably changed by one blind date. The season closes with the West Coast premiere of Richard Nelson’s Franny’s Way (June 10-July 20, 2003). Set in Greenwich Village during the summer of 1957, Franny’s Way examines the bittersweet collision of youth and adulthood.

The Geffen Playhouse is located at 10886 Le Conte Avenue in Westwood. Visit the Geffen website at www.geffenplayhouse.com. For ticket information, please call the Geffen Playhouse box office at (310) 208-5454.

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